Abstract:

A system for and method of receiving internet radio broadcast via
satellite radio is presented. The system and method allow internet radio
to be delivered to consumers on a mobile electronic device. Internet
radio can be individually customized to deliver certain types of content
and can also deliver on-demand content. The system and method therefore
provides for the delivery of customizable on-demand content to a
consumer's mobile device with the stable and wide-ranging connectivity of
satellite radio.

Claims:

1. A method comprising:accessing audio content configured for use in an
internet radio service;providing a user interface, wherein the user
interface is configured to provides a user access to internet
radio;receiving an audio content selection;receiving satellite receiver
identification information;receiving an identification key that
corresponds to a user;converting the selected audio into a data stream,
wherein the data stream includes the satellite receiver identification
information and the identification key; andtransmitting the data stream
to a satellite radio provider.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data stream is configured
to be broadcast via satellite radio.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data stream comprises
packets of data configured for transmission on a packet-switched network.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the satellite receiver
configured to receive the selected audio content is identified by the
user.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the satellite receiver
configured to receive the selected audio content is identified by a
user's mobile device.

7. A method comprising:accessing audio content configured for use in an
internet radio service;providing a user interface, wherein the user
interface is configured to provide a user access to internet
radio;receiving information regarding a user's audio content
preferences;receiving satellite receiver identification information and
an identification key that corresponds to a user;create a customized
content channel based on user's audio content preferences;converting the
customized content channel into a data stream; andtransmitting the data
stream to a satellite radio provider.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the data stream includes the
satellite receiver identification information and the identification key.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the information regarding a
user's audio content preferences comprises one or more musical genres.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the information regarding a
user's audio content preferences comprises one or more artists.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the information regarding a
user's audio content preferences comprises one or more audio content
selections.

13. A method comprising:receiving data comprising at least audio content,
satellite receiver identification information, and a user key;converting
the audio format into a different format conducive to satellite
transmission, wherein the converted format is transmitted at a frequency
channel;encoding the frequency channel using the user key; anduplinking
the frequency channel to a satellite, wherein the frequency channel is
configured to be broadcast to the satellite receiver identified by the
satellite receiver identification information and decoded by the
satellite receiver.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the received data originated from an
Internet radio server.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the audio content of the received data
stream comprises on-demand audio selections.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the audio content of the received data
stream comprises music channels individually customized to a user's
musical preferences.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising performing a key exchange
operation with the satellite receiver.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the key exchange operation is a
cryptographic protocol.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the key exchange operation is selected
from the group consisting of Diffie-Hellman key exchange, RSA key
exchange, and MD5 key exchange.

Description:

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0001]Conventional satellite radio services provide access to many
different stations or channels, but are not able to deliver on-demand
content to the customer. Internet radio, on the other hand, is able to
deliver on-demand content to customers, but is unable to provide stable
connectivity to mobile customers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002]The present invention, together with further objects and advantages,
may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of
which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

[0003]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary network
environment where the systems for and methods of receiving internet radio
broadcast via satellite radio may be performed in accordance with
exemplary embodiments;

[0004]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an internet radio via satellite
transmission module in accordance with exemplary embodiments;

[0005]FIG. 3(a) illustrates the appearance of a user interface in
accordance with exemplary embodiments;

[0006]FIG. 3(b) illustrates the appearance of a user interface in
accordance with exemplary embodiments; and

[0007]FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of receiving internet
radio broadcast via satellite radio in accordance with exemplary
embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008]Satellite radio has gained in popularity because it is able to
provide subscribers with more stations than conventional radio, and those
stations are not limited geographically like conventional radio stations.
In other words, with satellite radio, there is little to no risk of
losing a good station as you drive along a highway.

[0009]Internet radio has also gained in popularity. This is at least in
part due to the capability of many internet radio service providers to
provide such features as on-demand content, playlist creation, and
customizable channels.

[0010]Satellite radio currently does not provide on-demand and/or
customizable content. Internet radio currently does not provide
connectivity to the mobile customer in a stable fashion. Exemplary
systems and methods of the present invention provide a user with the
ability to customize audio content as with internet radio, and have the
customized content broadcast by satellite transmission. As such, users
can have access to on-demand content, for example, on a mobile device
(e.g., a cellular phone, or PDA) so long as the mobile device is equipped
with a satellite receiver.

[0011]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary network
environment where systems and methods for receiving internet radio
broadcast via satellite radio may be performed in accordance with
exemplary embodiments. Satellite radio service provider 120 may include
ground station transmitter 125, satellite radio service provider server
130, and key server 115. It should be appreciated that ground station
transmitter 125, satellite radio service provider 130, and key server 115
are depicted as single entity devices for the sake of illustrative
simplicity, and that such depiction is non-limiting.

[0012]Satellite radio service provider server 130 may receive, store,
and/or process audio content that may delivered over the various channels
or stations that may be offered to subscribers by satellite radio service
provider 120. Satellite radio service provider server 130 may be
communicatively coupled with ground station transmitter 125 and may
provide ground station transmitter 125 with content to be uplinked to
satellite 110. Key server 115 may be communicatively coupled with ground
station transmitter 125 and satellite radio service provider server 130.
Key server 115 may be used to authenticate a transmission with a
satellite receiver embodied in consumer's equipment 105.

[0013]Satellite 110 may broadcast satellite signals, which may include
audio content, storing content over a broad geographic region (e.g. an
entire continent). The signal broadcast by satellite 110 may be
proprietary in nature and may require specialized hardware to be decoded,
demodulated, and/or decrypted. The signal broadcast by satellite 110 may
be at a frequency of 2.3 GHz (S Band) in, by way of non-limiting example,
North America. In regions other than North America, by way of
non-limiting example, the signal may share the 1.4 GHz (L band) frequency
with local Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) stations. Satellite 110 may
broadcast a signal strong enough to be received without a satellite dish.

[0014]The signal broadcast from satellite 110 may be received directly by
a consumer's equipment 105. In some locations, however, the satellite
signal may be blocked because of, for example skyscrapers or tunnels. In
these locations, local repeaters may be used to broadcast the signal to a
consumer's equipment 105.

[0015]Consumer's equipment 105 is depicted in FIG. 1 as being in an
automobile (i.e., a consumer operating the automobile). This depiction is
purely exemplary and it should be appreciated that a consumer's equipment
105 may receive a satellite signal on different devices and in different
locations. Consumer's equipment 105 may receive the satellite signal in
an automobile on a portable receiver. Consumer's equipment 105 may
receive the satellite signal on a satellite receiver installed directly
into the vehicle. Consumer's equipment 105 could be on a train or a bus
receiving the satellite signal on a mobile device equipped with a
satellite receiver. Consumer's equipment 105 may also receive the signal
directly into their home, either on a built-in or stationary satellite
receiver or on a receiver in a mobile device such as a cellular phone or
PDA.

[0016]Satellite radio service provider 130 may be communicatively coupled
with a network 135. Network 135 may be a wireless network, a wired
network or any combination of wireless network and wired network. For
example, network 135 may include one or more of a fiber optics network, a
passive optical network, a cable network, an Internet network, a
satellite network (e.g., operating in Band C, Band Ku or Band Ka), a
wireless LAN, a Global System for Mobile Communication ("GSM"), a
Personal Communication Service ("PCS"), a Personal Area Network ("PAN"),
D-AMPS, Wi-Fi, Fixed Wireless Data, IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.15.1,
802.11n and 802.11g or any other wired or wireless network for
transmitting and/or receiving a data signal. In addition, network 135 may
include, without limitation, telephone line, fiber optics, EE Ethernet
802.3, a wide area network ("WAN"), a local area network ("LAN"), or a
global network such as the Internet. Also, network 135 may support, an
Internet network, a wireless communication network, a cellular network,
or the like, or any combination thereof. Network 135 may further include
one, or any number of the exemplary types of networks mentioned above
operating as a stand-alone network or in cooperation with each other.
Network 135 may utilize one or more protocols of one or more network
elements to which it is communicatively coupled. Network 135 may
translate to or from other protocols to one or more protocols of network
devices. Although network 135 is depicted as one network, it should be
appreciated that according to one or more embodiments, network 135 may
comprise a plurality of interconnected networks, such as, for example, a
service provider network, the Internet, a broadcaster's network, a cable
television network, corporate networks, and home networks.

[0017]Internet radio server 165 may be communicatively coupled to network
135. Internet radio server 165 may host an internet radio service and may
store audio content. Internet radio server 165 may present an interface
to users so that users can select audio content. Internet radio server
165 may transmit selected content to a user. Internet radio audio content
may be delivered to a user via streaming technology using a lossy audio
codec such as MPEG. Streaming audio formats may include, by way of
non-limiting example, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, Windows Media Player, RealAudio
and HE-ACC. The bits may be streamed (or transported) over the network in
TCP or UDP packets, then reassembled and played at the user's location.

[0018]Internet radio providers may provide pre-set channels that, upon
user selection, may be transmitted to the user in a streaming format.
Pre-set channels or stations of an internet radio provider may correspond
to a musical genre. Thus, a user may select, for example, an
Electronic/Dance channel, and the internet radio provider may stream
songs to the user that fall into the category of Electronic/Dance music.

[0019]Internet radio providers may also provide on-demand capabilities
that allow a user to select and play audio content such as a song or a
concert. On-demand capabilities are not limited to music and may allow
the user to select any type of audio content, such as, by way of
non-limiting example, weather forecasts, talk radio segments, political
debates, audiobooks, speeches, verbal editorials, etc. Further, internet
radio providers may allow users to create playlists of personally
selected audio content.

[0020]Internet radio providers may examine the music selections of a user
and create customized playlists with songs meant to appeal to the user's
preferences. Internet radio providers may use methods and algorithms for
customization that may involve some combination of analyzing genre,
artist, tempo, tone, or other factors that may be relevant in determining
the musical preferences of a given customer. For example, a user could
create a customized list that included several genres of music. A user
may select several genres, and the internet radio provider may be able to
provide a channel to the user that is customized based on these selected
genres. For example, a user may select Country, Hip-Hop, and Jazz as
their favorite genres and the Internet radio provider may provide a
customized channel in which the songs streamed to the user are narrowed
down according to these selected genres. Further, a customizable channel
may be narrowed down by artist, previously selected tracks, or some
combination of those or other factors.

[0021]Various other devices may be communicatively coupled to network 135.
A computing device 160 may be communicatively coupled to network 135
through an ISP or some other suitable network connection mechanism. The
computing device 160 is depicted as a laptop computer for the sake of
illustrative simplicity. It should be appreciated that computing device
160 encompasses a Personal Computer ("PC") or other computing devices. A
wireless tower 140 may be communicatively coupled to network 135. A
wireless device 150, such as, by way of non-limiting example, a cellular
phone or PDA, may communicate with wireless tower 140. Signals sent from
wireless device 150 to wireless tower 140 may then be transmitted from
the wireless tower 140 to network 135 via a wired connection.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an internet-radio-via-satellite
transmission module in accordance with exemplary embodiments.
Input/output module 202 may allow the user to input information including
information identifying a satellite receiver, personal key information,
subscription and/or billing preferences, and information relating to
content customization. Also, input/output module may include audio output
devices for outputting audio content to a user.

[0023]Input/output module 202 may exist as a software application
executing on a PC or laptop device configured to access a user interface.
A user interface may be hosted at a internet radio server or at another
web site that may be configured to receive such as information as, for
example, URL's or hyperlinks to customized channels from an internet
radio provider, a satellite receiver identification code, and a user's
personal key. Input/output module 202 may exist on a mobile device that
provides applications by which a user may access a user interface of a
internet radio server. Input/output module 202 may include a touch
screen, a key pad, a mouse, or other devices for facilitating user input
to a website or other user interface.

[0024]Content customization module 204 may exist as a software application
at an internet radio provider hosted at an internet radio server. Content
customization module 204 may exist as a software application at a website
that does not necessarily provide internet radio service, but which may
be configured to receive information corresponding to customized channels
or stations from an internet radio service provider, and also satellite
receiver identification codes and personal key information. Content
customization module 204 may also be located at a mobile device used by a
user to make content-customizing selections.

[0025]Content customization module 204 may provide a user with a user
interface that allows the users to search or browse content to make
on-demand selections. Content customization module 204 may provide the
capability for users to create playlists from available selections of an
official content source.

[0026]Content customization module 204 may provide different mechanisms to
allow users to customize channels or have channels customized for them.
To that end, content customization module 204 may provide for the
creation of user accounts, so that that a user's content selections may
be stored and analyzed to determine a user's preferences. Content
customization module 204 may examine the music selections of a user,
determine user preferences based on those selections, and create
playlists or channels in accordance with determined user preferences.
Content customization module 204 may provide dedicated hardware or
programmed software stored in computer readable memory for storing
methods and algorithms for analyzing user preferences using such factors
as, by way of non-limiting example, genre, artist, tempo, tone,
previously selected audio content and/or other factors that may be
relevant to determining the musical preferences of a given customer.

[0027]Content customization module 204 may work in conjunction with at
least input/output module 202 which may provide user selections that
content customization module 204 may use to customize channels. Content
customization module 204 may also work in conjunction with data
compatibility module 206 in that the customized content may be packaged
into a format suitable for network transmission, and then transmitted to
a user.

[0028]Data compatibility module 206 may format user-selected audio content
in accordance with transmission protocols suitable for transmission over
different types of transmission mediums.

[0029]Data compatibility module 206 may be configured to transmit or
deliver user-selected audio content, and manages to format or package the
audio content so that it can be transmitted elsewhere for a different
kind of distribution. The data compatibility module 206 is not
necessarily located at a single device and may include dedicated hardware
or programmed software stored in computer readable memory at an internet
radio provider, a satellite service provider, and/or a satellite
receiver.

[0030]Data compatibility module 206 may format selected audio content into
a stream of data packets to be transmitted over a packet switched
network. The portion of data compatibility module 206 that may exist on
an internet radio server may format the audio data in this matter. Data
compatibility module 206 may transmit the stream of data packets to
satellite service provider 120. Data compatibility module 206 may convert
the format (e.g. TCP-IP data packets) of data received at a satellite
service provider from an internet radio provider to a format suitable for
satellite transmission.

[0031]Data compatibility module 206 may also include programmed software
stored on a computer readable medium and/or dedicated hardware configured
to perform a key exchange operation between a satellite receiver and a
satellite service provider. Such a key exchange may be performed in order
to maintain the security of a satellite transmission between a satellite
service provider and a satellite receiver. This key exchange operation
may occur after a satellite receiver answers back from a service
broadcast from an internet radio provider with a call to the satellite
service provider server.

[0032]In some embodiments, data compatibility module 206 may generate a
key using any encryption or hashing algorithm, such as, by way of
non-limiting example, MD5. This key may be generated when a user creates
an account via a web interface. The generated key may be matched with
satellite receiver identification information. On an initial startup of a
satellite receiver, and after a user may make changes to their profile,
the satellite receiver may authenticate with a key server (e.g. a key
server 115 as depicted in FIG. 1) using digital certificates, which may
be placed within a satellite provider's network.

[0033]In some embodiments, the data compatibility module 206 may format
audio content by including identifying metadata about the audio content
(e.g., song title, artist, album, etc.). Such metadata may be displayed
to the user on an input/output module 202. The metadata may be displayed
while the content is playing. The manner in which the metadata may be
displayed may be controlled on an input/output module 202.

[0034]Receiver Module 208 may receive a wireless satellite signal from
satellite 110 and decode and decrypt the signal. Receiver module 208 may
send the decoded, decrypted audio signal to output speakers. Receiver
module 208 may have an identification code associated with it. The
identification code of the receiver module 208 may allow a subscriber to
get access to the stations or channels they signed up for. Satellite
signals may be encoded and encrypted to block access to underlying audio
content. The satellite receiver identification code may unblock certain
of the stations or channels and may allow for these channels to be heard.

[0035]Playback control module 210 may be located at a mobile device, which
may be a separate device from the satellite receiver, or the mobile
device could have a satellite receiver in the device itself. Playback
control module 210 may allow satellite radio subscribers to switch back
and forth between the channels they have already paid for each month with
their monthly payments and the on-demand selections they have purchased,
which may be an additional charge on top of the monthly fee. The playback
control module 210 may work in conjunction with an input/output module to
determine whether the user wants to hear customized audio content
originating from an internet radio provider or listen to the channels
that are available under a their satellite radio subscription.

[0036]FIG. 3(a) illustrates the appearance of a user interface in
accordance with exemplary embodiments. FIG. 3A may be a user interfaces
that a user may see at a mobile device that has an application, and
allows a user to communicate, and input information through an
application on a mobile device or through a website on a PC or a laptop.
As illustrated in FIG. 3A, there may be a field for the satellite
receiver identification code. A user may input this information by
looking at the satellite receiver and finding the code printed on the
device itself. In some embodiments, a user's wireless mobile device
detects this identification code directly through a wireless interface
(e.g., Bluetooth or wi-fi). In some embodiments, after the device code is
detected, an input/output module (e.g. input/output module 202 in FIG. 2)
may populate this field with the device code such that user entry of the
code is not required.

[0037]Satellite radio providers have limited bandwidth by which to
transmit audio content. As such, there may be a limited number of
frequencies (channels) by which audio content may be transmitted. A
subscriber to a satellite radio service may have access to, by way of
non-limiting example, 221 different audio channels. In exemplary
embodiments, the customized content selected by a user--e.g., an internet
radio station or a playlist of user-selected audio content--may be
transmitted to a user's satellite receiver on a channel other than the
221 audio channels that may come with the satellite radio service.
Because bandwidth is limited, it is possible that the customized content
of different users could be transmitted over the same frequency channel.
If two users are listening to different audio content over the same
frequency within a reasonable proximity to each other, this could create
the potential for interference between the signals.

[0038]In an exemplary embodiment, this potential for interference may be
prevented by a direct-sequence spread-spectrum transmission technique.
With this technique, the data to be transmitted may be multiplied by a
sequence of values with a higher frequency than that of the original
signal. This multiplication may spread the energy of the original signal
into a wider band. The resulting signal may resemble white noise, which
may prevent the signal from causing interference. The resulting signal
may be used to reconstruct the original data at the receiving end by
multiplying it by the same sequence of values. As illustrated, there may
also be an input for the user's personal key. The sequence of values that
make up the personal key may be multiplied by the original signal, in the
manner described above, to encode a user's channel such that proximity to
the same channel does not cause interference between the signals. This
may allow on-demand content to be delivered to multiple users without
interference.

[0039]FIG. 3(b) illustrates the appearance of a user interface in
accordance with exemplary embodiments. This interface may allow the user
to select between methods of customizing the content that they will
receive. The first link may allow a user to create a playlist. The second
link may allow a user to listen to a channel of the most popular music,
or to peruse the most popular new music and make on-demand selections
from there. The third link may allow a user to select different genres as
a way of customizing a channel. The fourth link may allow a user to do
all of the actions that may already be performed in the system, but may
add the additional feature of allowing a content customization module to
analyze the selections of a particular user and create customized
channels based on an analysis of a user's past selections. Further, a
content customization module may provide a mechanism for a user to mark
or tag their favorite songs so that this information may be taken into
account when analyzing a user's preferences. The various methods of
customizing content have been discussed in greater detail with respect to
FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0040]FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of receiving internet
radio broadcast via satellite radio in accordance with exemplary
embodiments. In block 405, subscription or billing parameters may be
chosen. This may be an operation an input/output module (e.g.,
input/output module 202 in FIG. 2). Both subscribers to satellite radio
and non-subscribers to satellite radio can both use this service and
receive on-demand and customizable content.

[0041]A non-subscriber would still need to have a satellite receiver to
receive the on-demand content. The non-subscriber could locate the
satellite receiver identity code and still have the option of paying for
on-demand content. The on-demand content may offered in different viewing
packages. For example, the user may subscribe by the hour, day, week,
etc.

[0042]A subscriber may also be able to purchase on-demand content in
different viewing packages. The situation may be slightly different for
the subscriber. For example, a subscriber may be paying $12.99 a month
for 200 channels. By accessing on-demand channels, the subscriber is
essentially adding a 201st channel. This extra channel may include
on-demand content and/or customizable channels. The subscriber may have
to pay an extra fee for this extra on-demand channel. The subscription to
this extra channel may be on a per hour, day, week, etc. basis, just as
described with respect to the non-subscriber above. In some embodiments,
the price structure may be different. In some embodiments, the charge for
on-demand content may be greater for non-subscribers. Both
non-subscribers and subscribers alike may have to select a billing
option.

[0044]In block 415, the satellite receiver identification code may be
determined. The satellite receiver identification code may unblock
certain channels, allowing a user who is a subscriber to receive the
subscribed-for channels. The identification may be determined by a user
who simply reads the code off the device and inputs the code via an
input/output module. The identification code may be determined by a
mobile device that may be able to wirelessly identify the code.

[0045]In block 420, a user may input personal key information. An
interface is shown in FIG. 3(a) where a user may input this information.
The input personal key information may be used to encode data transmitted
via satellite transmission to reduce potential interference if multiple
users are on the same channel. This technique is described in greater
detail in the discussion of block 450.

[0046]In block 425, a key exchange between data stream may be created for
transmission across a network, such as a packet switched network. An
internet radio provider may attempt to contact the satellite receiver to
initiate a key exchange. A satellite receiver may respond to the internet
radio provider by sending a message through the satellite service
provider and to the internet radio provider. After a response message is
sent back to the internet radio provider, the satellite service provider
server and the satellite receiver may perform a key exchange. The key
exchange may be a Diffie-Hellman key exchange. Alternatively, the key
exchange may be performed in accordance with any other encryption or
hashing algorithm (e.g., RSA, MD5).

[0047]In block 430 a data stream may be created that includes the
user-selected or customized content. The data stream may include metadata
that may identify characteristics of the audio content included in the
data stream. The data stream may also include satellite receiver
identification code and personal key information.

[0048]In block 435, the data stream may be sent to a satellite radio
service provider. In block 445, the data may be converted from a data
stream of multiple packets into a format conducive to satellite
transmission.

[0049]In block 450, the data may be encoded by using the user's personal
key information. In an exemplary embodiment, a potential for interference
between multiple users listening to different content on the same
frequency channel may be prevented by using personal key information to
encode the signal. Specifically, the data to be transmitted may be
multiplied by a user's personal key, which may be a sequence of values
with a higher frequency than that of the original signal. This
multiplication may spread the energy of the original signal into a wider
band. The resulting signal may resemble white noise, which may prevent
the signal from causing interference. The resulting signal may be used to
reconstruct the original data at the receiving end by multiplying it
again by a user's personal key. This encoding may allow on-demand content
to be delivered to multiple users without interference.

[0050]In block 455, the data may be uplinked from the ground earth station
of the satellite radio provider to a satellite. The satellite may then
broadcast this data over a broad geographic swath. The broadcast
satellite signal may be received by a satellite receiver. In block 460, a
satellite receiver may decode and decrypt the data so that it may be
played as audio. In block 465, an audio signal may be output to speakers.

[0051]The description above describes user devices, an analysis system, a
communication network having network elements that are coupled to each
other via one or more links (e.g., physical or logical), various networks
of within a domain of the communication network, and other elements for
coupling customers to the communication network, some of which are
explicitly depicted, others of which are not. As used herein, the term
"module" may be understood to refer to executable software, firmware,
hardware, or various combinations thereof. It is noted that the modules
are exemplary. The modules may be combined, integrated, separated, or
duplicated to support various applications. Also, a function described
herein as being performed at a particular module may be performed at one
or more other modules and by one or more other devices instead of or in
addition to the function performed at the particular module. Further, the
modules may be implemented across multiple devices or other components
local or remote to one another. Additionally, the modules may be moved
from one device and added to another device, or may be included in both
devices.

[0052]It is further noted that the software described herein may be
tangibly embodied in one or more physical media, such as, but not limited
to, a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a floppy disk, a
hard drive, read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), as well
as other physical media capable of storing software, or combinations
thereof. Moreover, the figures illustrate various components (e.g.,
servers, computers, etc.) separately. The functions described as being
performed at various components may be performed at other components, and
the various components may be combined or separated. Other modifications
also may be made.

[0053]In the preceding specification, various preferred embodiments have
been described with references to the accompanying drawings. It will,
however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made
thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing
from the broader scope of invention as set forth in the claims that
follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in
an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.